Method and system for authenticating and validating identities based on multi-modal biometric templates and special codes in a substantially anonymous process

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for authenticating an identity of an individual received from an approved entity against a centralized multi-modal biometric database in an anonymous process. The method includes receiving an authentication request from the approved entity. The authentication request includes a personal reference code and a biometric template for a biometric feature of the individual but no private or personal data. The method further includes determining if any record in the database exists that includes a personal reference code which matches the reference code of the authentication request. The record in the database further includes one or more stored biometric templates for each individual. Based on the determination of the match, the method compares the biometric template of the authentication request with the stored biometric template and provides an indication to an approved destination of whether the biometric templates match, thus confirming authentic identity.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
   
   
       20 . A method of authenticating an identity of an individual within a database of anonymous records, each comprising at least one biometric template and a personal reference code, the method comprising:
 receiving an authentication request from the individual, the authentication request comprising a personal reference code and a biometric template for a biometric feature of the individual;   making a determination of whether any record stored in the database exists comprising a stored personal reference code that matches the personal reference code of the authentication request;   comparing the biometric template of the authentication request with the biometric template of the record based on a result of the determination; and   providing an indication of a result of the comparison.   
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the authentication request from the individual is submitted by an entity, the method further comprising determining whether the entity is authorized to submit the authentication request. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the authentication request is submitted by a computer associated with the entity,   the receiving further comprises receiving an identification associated with the computer, and   the determining further comprises comparing the identification against a list of identifications associated with approved submitting computers.   
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising receiving a courier biometric template,
 wherein the determining further comprises identifying whether the received courier biometric template corresponds to an entity authorized to submit authentication requests, and   wherein the making of the determination is performed if the received courier biometric template corresponds to an authorized entity.   
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the making of the determination is bypassed if the received courier biometric template does not correspond to an entity authorized to submit authentication requests. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the individual is a human being. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the individual is an animal other than a human being. 
   
   
       27 . (canceled) 
   
   
       28 . Computer executable software code stored on a computer-readable tangible medium, the code for:
 receiving an authentication request from an individual, the authentication request comprising a personal reference code and a biometric template for a biometric feature of the individual;   accessing a database of anonymous records, each record comprising at least one biometric template and a personal reference code;   making a determination of whether any record stored in the database exists comprising a stored personal reference code that matches the personal reference code of the authentication request;   comparing the biometric template of the authentication request with the biometric template of the record based on a result of the determination; and   providing an indication of a result of the comparing.